Proton Improvement Plan-II

A state-of-the-art particle accelerator powering the world’s most intense neutrino beam

World-record beam to power decades of discovery

The Proton Improvement Plan II, or PIP-II, is an essential enhancement to the Fermilab accelerator complex, powering the world’s most intense high-energy neutrino beam on its journey from Illinois to the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment in South Dakota – a distance of 1,300 kilometers (800 miles). DUNE scientists will use neutrinos to answer some of the most profound questions about our universe. In addition, over the next 50 years, PIP-II will drive a broad physics research program, delivering scientific breakthroughs and likely to reveal surprising answers to questions that are not yet contemplated.

Enabling scientific discovery

Enabling scientific discovery

PIP-II will power the Fermilab accelerator complex to provide neutrinos for DUNE scientists to study. In parallel, the high-power proton beams delivered by PIP-II will enable muon-based experiments to search for new particles and forces at unprecedented levels of precision and a diverse physics program powering new discoveries for decades to come.

At the forefront of accelerator technology

At the forefront of accelerator technology

PIP-II makes use of the latest advances in superconducting radio-frequency technologies globally to provide powerful proton beams that, traveling at nearly the speed of light, can be tailored for a diverse set of experiments. Accelerating structures are cooled to 2 K (2 degrees above absolute zero) in order to provide efficient, high-power, acceleration.

International partnerships

International partnerships

PIP-II is the first particle accelerator built in the U.S. with significant contributions from international partners. Institutions in France, India, Italy, Poland, the United Kingdom and the United States will bring together their expertise and capabilities in superconducting radio frequency and associated technologies to construct a state-of-the-art particle accelerator at Fermilab.

PIP-II: the new heart of Fermilab

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Media contact

Fermilab Office of Communication
media@fnal.gov | 630-840-3351

Multimedia

Browse a gallery of selected photos and videos.

Real-time footage

Watch the construction of PIP-II in real time.